“Yes Lord! God bless America! God bless all the lost lives to police brutality. We want white America to know that we stand tall today. We want black America to know we stand tall today. We will not be silenced…”

But that’s when the camera cut away sharply, and the news anchor began loudly talking over her so she couldn’t finish.

Monàe commented on Instagram that the meaning of “Hell You Talmbout” is akin to “a vessel. It carries the unbearable anguish of millions. We recorded it to channel the pain, fear, and trauma caused by the ongoing slaughter of our brothers and sisters. We recorded it to challenge the indifference, disregard, and negligence of all who remain quiet about this issue. Silence is our enemy. Sound is our weapon. They say a question lives forever until it gets the answer it deserves… Won’t you say their names?”

Monàe’s ‘Today” appearance was posted to the show’s website, but they made sure to leave out the “Hell You Talmbout” performance on their website.